Tech

The world of gadgets, apps, services, and startups: what's new and what's next

Can talking to a bot help you feel better?

Amid a growing crisis in addiction and mental health, tireless machines are offering a new form of care—and raising new questions.

Can talking to a bot help you feel better?

This startup is Trader Joe’s meets Costco, with a splash of Brandless

A $59 yearly membership gets you access to clean personal care products, ethically sourced household goods, and organic food items at drastically low prices.

This startup is Trader Joe’s meets Costco, with a splash of Brandless

20 great free streaming services for cord cutters

Why spend money on even more subscriptions when you can freeload?

20 great free streaming services for cord cutters

In the age of Alexa and Siri, how come most customer-service voice assistants still suck?

In a recent survey, 97% of Americans said they’ve experienced frustration with Interactive Voice Response systems. Why hasn’t the voice-computing renaissance spread beyond Amazon, Apple, and Google?

In the age of Alexa and Siri, how come most customer-service voice assistants still suck?

Why 800 numbers are getting their own robocalls

Scammers are dialing toll-free numbers and working with phone companies to get a cut of the charges.

Why 800 numbers are getting their own robocalls

No, Amazon probably isn’t walking away from NYC, and here’s why

While Amazon might be miffed over the tough time it’s getting from the Big Apple, the likelihood of the company walking away seems slim.

No, Amazon probably isn’t walking away from NYC, and here’s why

Washington could be the first state to rein in automated decision-making

The bill aims at bias and other risks in the software that governments use for a range of decisions, from criminal sentencing to school placement.

Washington could be the first state to rein in automated decision-making

Digisexuality is stepping out of the closet. Keep an open mind

A second wave of sexual tech is starting to appear, transforming how some people view their very identity, and raising the specter of a new kind of stigma.

Digisexuality is stepping out of the closet. Keep an open mind

Here’s how to wrangle your passwords without going crazy

Online security is ever more fraught. With these tips, you can use strong passwords without complicating your life.

Here’s how to wrangle your passwords without going crazy

Seven weeks after NSFW ban, Tumblr still bulges with porn

Over a dozen (and counting) Tumblr sites full of softcore and hardcore porn, with new posts continuing to go up, were easy to find on the popular blogging site.

Seven weeks after NSFW ban, Tumblr still bulges with porn

How right-wing meme slingers weaponize a toxic patriotism

In her first battle on the Hill against digital propaganda from the right, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spotlights a noxious patriotism.

How right-wing meme slingers weaponize a toxic patriotism

Instacart is raising minimum pay–again

Just days after setting a $3 minimum for grocery deliveries, Instacart announces new wages ranging from $5 to $10, not including of tips or bonuses.

Instacart is raising minimum pay–again

I bet on Facebook—and helped Soros write the speech that incensed its execs

How one of Mark Zuckerberg’s mentors helped billionaire philanthropist George Soros write the Davos speech at the center of another Facebook controversy.

I bet on Facebook—and helped Soros write the speech that incensed its execs

Microsoft really wants you to stop buying Office as boxed software

Microsoft’s new Office ads pit twins against each other to encourage you to choose Office 365 over Office 2019.

Microsoft really wants you to stop buying Office as boxed software

Sponsored Content

The Power and the Glory

Content creators are learning what the world’s top gamers have known for years: MSI computers provide the muscle they need to perform at their best. Here’s why.

The Power and the Glory

Tumblr’s NSFW ban is arousing a surge of sex-based social networks

In wake of Tumblr’s NSFW content ban, entrepreneurs are trying to build communities–not just porn-watching sites–around sexuality.

Tumblr’s NSFW ban is arousing a surge of sex-based social networks

Tech expert: Why business leaders shouldn’t have blind faith in AI

Some business problems can be solved through artificial intelligence, but some require a smart manager’s old-fashioned know-how.

Tech expert: Why business leaders shouldn’t have blind faith in AI

A brilliant breakthrough in email productivity is going away forever

The Email Game was nothing like any other email client–and for me, at least, that made all the difference. On February 7, it’s shutting down.

A brilliant breakthrough in email productivity is going away forever

Andy Rubin’s company gave my favorite email app a scary privacy policy

After getting bought by Essential, the beloved email app Newton allows for creepy data collection and targeted ads.

Andy Rubin’s company gave my favorite email app a scary privacy policy

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts is stepping down in April

The former Burberry CEO is handing off the Apple Stores to Apple’s HR chief, who will do double duty.

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts is stepping down in April

Impact

Will there be a market for the coming explosion of electric cars?

Gifts from the 50 biggest donors dropped by half in 2018

Poor scheduling costs hourly workers sleep and happiness

Creativity

Finally! Doritos makes a chip bag that cleans your dusty fingers

The fallout from NYT’s Ryan Adams exposé has already arrived

Home Page is being rereleased, like a time capsule from the internet’s early days

Co.Design

Can architecture help you live forever?

Carry your kid’s diapers, but make it fashion with this fanny pack

This magic fabric ensures you’re never too hot and never too cold

Work Life

We need to stop striving for work-life balance. Here’s why

Want to cut your work hours in half? Create an A/B schedule

Why opting out of your family group text can improve your mental health